Preps Plus. HIGHLIGHTS.

Basically, Hoffman Focuses Better, Wins Msl Volleyball Title

Hersey Disintegrates In Final Game

Hoffman Estates and Hersey had trouble concentrating during Thursday's Mid-Suburban League boys volleyball title match. The difference proved to be which team could refocus when it counted.

That battle went to No. 8 Hoffman Estates, the South Division champion. The Hawks dominated Game 3, running off eight straight points and then outlasting Hersey as Dave Muzzuca served it out to defeat the third-ranked and MSL North champion Huskies 16-14, 7-15, 15-6 at Hoffman Estates.

"We lost a little bit of focus in the second game, but we went back to the basics in the third," said Hawks coach Dawn Shepherd, whose team was 10-0 in conference play and is now 23-4 overall. "We were only out of it for one spurt."

The match was close most of the first two games, beginning with a series of stalemates as the teams tied six times in Game 1 and at one point had a run of five straight sideouts. Hersey got hot in Game 2 and actually led 2-0 in the final match before collapsing.

"It was an ugly game for us," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill. "They played error-free ball and kept the ball inbounds, and we made a lot of unforced mistakes. That was the difference."

MSL South player of the year Jeremy Bavolek led Hoffman with 12 kills, while Terrence White led Hersey (24-3) with 13.

Glenbrook South d. New Trier 15-4, 16-14: Eric Rapoport had 13 kills and David Mattas six as the top-ranked Titans (25-1, 10-0) remained perfect in the Central Suburban South. New Trier is 23-12, 8-2.

Naperville Central d. Wheaton-Warrenville South 15-11, 15-7: Trevor Ryan had 10 kills, 11 digs and four blocks, Chris Watson eight kills and four blocks and Bart Mayer five kills as No. 4 Naperville Central clinched a tie with Naperville North for the DuPage Valley crown. Dave Stuart had 27 assists for the Redhawks (28-3-1, 7-1).

Naperville North d. St. Charles 15-6, 15-2: Rob Ridenour had 21 assists and Pat Martin and Stoney White five kills each to lead the seventh-ranked Huskies (31-4).

Naperville North 6, Glenbard North 0: Lindsey Barr scored two goals as the third-ranked Huskies (15-2-4, 6-0) clinched the DuPage Valley title for the eighth time overall, and for the third time without allowing a goal in conference play.